WD-40 Company logo

WD-40 Company(WDFC)

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EXPLORE ADVISORIES AND THEIR HISTORY
QUALITY SIGNAL
1-STAR RATING
PASS
LAST CLOSE
$202.29
10/09/2026
(24-hour delay)

Advisory History & Simulated Performance *

*as per simulation (see disclosures)
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  • 1M
  • 1W
  • BUY Advisory
  • SELL Advisory (Profit)
  • SELL Advisory (Loss)
  • Profit
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  • PASS (Skip)
Upturn Stock price based on last close iconStock price based on last close
Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Advisory Performance History (Simulated)Advisory Performance History info

Simulated performance—not actual client returns. Results depend on calculation assumptions and do not guarantee future outcomes. See Disclosures for methodology, assumptions, and limitations.

Upturn Advisory & Investor View for WDFC

10/09/2026: WDFC (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

WD-40 Company is a specialized manufacturer of iconic maintenance and cleaning products, primarily known for its flagship multi-use lubricant. The firm benefits from a powerful, globally recognized brand and a lean, asset-light business model that has historically supported strong profit margins and consistent dividend growth. Its primary growth story revolves around international market expansion and increasing adoption of its professional-grade 'Specialist' product lines. However, the company faces risks from its significant product concentration, rising raw material costs, and competition from lower-cost private-label alternatives. WD-40 may best suit income-focused and defensive investors, and shareholders should monitor its ability to manage global supply chain costs and sustain organic growth in emerging regions.

How to Read the Upturn Advisory

The Upturn Star Rating and the current BUY, SELL, or PASS advisory are generated by Upturn’s AI advisory engine based on proprietary signal analysis, price behavior, advisory history, and historical signal performance.

Company fundamentals, valuation, risks, and news provide supporting context about the business.

Investor Fit

Investor styleFitWhy
Growth investorMixed fitGrowth is steady and reliable rather than exponential, making it better for compounding than aggressive growth portfolios.
Momentum investorMixed fitThe stock often exhibits low-beta, defensive characteristics that do not typically align with high-momentum strategies.
Value investorMixed fitWhile the business is high-quality, the stock often trades at a premium valuation that may not meet strict value criteria.
Dividend investorStrong fitThe company's history of consistent dividend growth and cash flow stability makes it attractive for income-focused investors.
Low-risk investorStrong fitThe company's essential product nature and strong brand moat offer defensive characteristics suitable for lower-risk profiles.

Risk Profile

Risk factorLevelWhy it matters
Price volatilityMediumAs a consumer-facing stock, it can fluctuate with broader market sentiment despite its defensive business model.
Valuation riskMedium / highThe stock often commands a high P/E multiple due to brand strength, which can limit upside potential.
Competition risk (maintenance and cleaning)MediumConstant pressure from private-label and lower-priced alternatives requires sustained marketing investment.
Business qualityStrongThe company possesses a powerful, globally recognized brand that provides a significant competitive advantage.
Dividend incomeLowThe dividend is secure and reliable, reflecting the company's strong cash-generating capabilities.
Execution riskLowThe company's outsourced manufacturing and mature distribution networks have proven effective over decades.

Price Behavior

Downtrend
PRICE PATH

Downtrend

The stock has experienced a sustained decline in price over recent periods.

Moderately Choppy
PRICE STABILITY

Moderately Choppy

The stock has experienced noticeable price swings while retaining some directional structure.

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit 0.85%
Avg. Invested days 45
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Advisory Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 3.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 10/09/2026

Upturn Scorecard

Upturn Star Rating

★★★★★
WDFC receives a 4-star rating, supported by solid unit economics, solid company fundamentals, and solid analyst coverage. The rating is constrained by weak price momentum.

Company Fundamentals

★★★★★
WDFC has solid overall fundamentals (4 stars), with solid financial health, solid growth momentum, and solid ownership. In FY2025 versus FY2024, solid earnings growth (+30.7%) and solid cash generation (FCF margin 13.5%) are partially offset by moderate revenue growth (+5.0%), very low insider ownership of 0.80%.

Financial Health Rating

★★★★★
WDFC's financial health is supported by solid liquidity, including working-capital and asset support (WC/assets 38.4%). Profitability is moderate (3 stars), which helps explain the 4-star overall score.

Growth Momentum Score

★★★★★
Earnings growth is WDFC's strongest growth driver at +30.7% FY2025 versus FY2024 (solid, 4 stars). By comparison, while free-cash-flow growth (-5.0%, negative) holds the profile back, so recent growth is not broad-based across the business.

Ownership

★★★★★
Institutional ownership is 90.4% and approximately 99.6% of outstanding shares are publicly tradable, supporting liquidity and institutional participation. Insider ownership is only 0.80%, which materially reduces the ownership score.

Top 5 Institutional Investors

BlackRock Inc 15.47%
Vanguard Portfolio Management, LLC 8.02%
Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC 4.69%
Vanguard Capital Management, LLC 4.50%
State Street Corp 4.09%

Unit Economics (Per $1K Revenue)

★★★★★
WDFC generates approximately $551 of gross profit, $167 of operating income, and $135 of free cash flow for every $1,000 of revenue. Based on FY2025 results. Solid margins, cash conversion, and capital efficiency support the rating.

Economic Dimensions

★★★★★
Effective Tax Rate: 10.46%

Quantitative Style Profile

★★★★★
WDFC has a high-quality, liquid, relatively low-volatility profile. Weak momentum is the primary drawback, while valuation that is moderately attractive rather than deeply discounted.

Style Classification

Quality Focused

Quality TiltLow VolatilitySmall / Mid Cap RiskShort Squeeze RiskHighly Liquid / Institution-Friendly

Key Highlights

Company Size Mid-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 2.74B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 30.99
1Y Target Price 271.67
Price to earnings Ratio 30.99
1Y Target Price 271.67
Volume (30-day avg) 120.5K shares
Beta 0.26
52 Weeks Range 172.95 - 297.71
Updated Date 10/09/2026
52 Weeks Range 172.95 - 297.71
Updated Date 10/09/2026
Dividends yield (FY) 1.99%
Basic EPS (TTM) 6.58

How Company Makes Money

Business areaWhat it includesRetail investor read
Maintenance ProductsWD-40 Multi-Use Product and WD-40 Specialist line.This is the core business that drives the vast majority of revenue and brand recognition.
Geography (Americas, EMEA, APAC)Sales across major regional markets, with heavy emphasis on the Americas.International expansion is a key engine for growth as domestic markets saturate.

Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth

Revenue by Products

Product revenue - Year on Year

Revenue by Geography

Geography revenue - Year on Year

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Valuation

Trailing PE 30.99
Forward PE 52.63
Enterprise Value 2.74B
Price to Sales(TTM) 4.06
Enterprise Value 2.74B
Price to Sales(TTM) 4.06
Enterprise Value to Revenue 4.05
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 21.33
Shares Outstanding 13.42M
Shares Floating 13.37M
Shares Outstanding 13.42M
Shares Floating 13.37M
Percent Insiders 0.8
Percent Institutions 90.39

Financial Metrics

🧭 Investment Snapshot

Total Revenue (Scale)

Information icon Total money earned from selling products or services before any costs. It is needed to understand the scale of the business and its ability to generate income.

Net Income (Profit)

Information icon Final profit after all expenses, interest, and taxes are deducted. It is needed to determine the overall profitability available to shareholders.

Free Cash Flow (Cash Strength)

Information icon Cash remaining after operating activities and capital expenditures, showing cash available for growth. It is needed to evaluate the company’s ability to invest, pay dividends, or reduce debt.

📈 Growth & Strength

Operating Income (Core Profit)

Information icon Profit from core operations after deducting all operating expenses. It is needed to measure how efficiently the company runs its primary business activities.

EBITDA (Cash Earnings)

Information icon Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, indicating operating cash potential. It is needed to compare operating performance across companies without accounting or financing differences.

Gross Profit (Unit Profitability)

Information icon Revenue minus cost of revenue, showing profit after direct production costs. It is needed to evaluate core business profitability before overhead expenses.

🛡️ Financial Safety

Cash (Liquidity Buffer)

Information icon Total cash and cash equivalents on hand. It is needed to evaluate immediate liquidity and financial flexibility.

Total Debt (Leverage Risk)

Information icon Total debt including both short-term and long-term components. It is needed to assess the company’s leverage and financial risk.

Net Working Capital (Short-Term Health)

Information icon Current assets minus current liabilities, indicating short-term liquidity strength. It is needed to assess whether the company can meet its short-term obligations.

🧱 Balance Sheet Strength

Stockholder Equity (Net Worth)

Information icon Total equity value held by shareholders. It is needed to understand the net worth of the company from the owners’ perspective.

Total Assets (Asset Base)

Information icon The full value of everything the company owns, including cash, inventory, equipment, and investments. It is needed to understand the resource base used to generate revenue.

Income Before Tax (Pre-Tax Earnings)

Information icon Income before provision for income taxes. It is needed to analyze profitability independent of tax structures.

⚙️ Cost & Drag Factors

Cost of Revenue (Production Cost)

Information icon Direct costs required to produce and deliver the products or services sold. It is needed to assess efficiency in production and service delivery.

Total Operating Expenses (Operating Cost)

Information icon Indirect costs of running the business such as salaries, marketing, and administration. It is needed to understand how much it costs to sustain ongoing business operations.

Income Tax Expense (Tax Drag)

Information icon Amount of taxes paid or payable to the government. It is needed to evaluate the impact of taxation on overall profitability.

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